Dr. Jimmy Devins T.D, Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation opens Business Innovation Centre at Sligo IT

Start-up companies are essential to increase regional innovation levels

The Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation Dr. Jimmy Devins T.D officially opened ITSBIC, the Sligo Business Innovation Centre at IT Sligo today.

The Centre, which was funded under the Enterprise Ireland Campus Incubation Centre Programme, has already opened its doors to 18 companies which employ 40 people between them in the new incubation space.

Speaking at the launch Minister Devins said:

“This Centre is an excellent resource for Sligo based entrepreneurs and researchers that want to develop their technology into a product. ITSBIC offers a safe environment with the relevant business skills and support that a budding business person needs”.

The Minister continued, “Balanced regional development is a Government priority and the Institutes of Technology have a unique and critical role to play in achieving this goal. The Government’s €8.2 billion Strategy for Science, Technology & Innovation recommended that we focus on building up the research and innovation functions of Institutes such as Sligo IT so that it can nurture new start-up companies and develop innovative solutions for existing companies in Sligo and the North West. I am pleased to see such strong progress at this early stage with companies such as Nutrisolve, Nooked and Omniscience, who started out at ITSBIC, going on to run successful businesses in Sligo”.

Feargal Ó Móráin Executive Director of Enterprise Ireland said:

“Our strategy in relation to start-ups is designed to ensure that opportunities for Irish enterprises and entrepreneurs are maximised throughout all regions and that relevant support is provided at a local level to meet the increasing challenges faced by new, young companies in the global marketplace. Incubation centres improve greatly the survival and growth prospects of start-up campus companies. Enterprise Ireland has invested €38 million in such facilities in the Institutes of Technology. The Centres are now bases for 176 companies employing 641 people.”

Janette Gillen, ITSBIC Centre Manager said:

“Business incubators such as ITSBIC have a proven record of dramatically increasing the success rate of start-up businesses. Technology based start-ups of any kind, benefit enormously from access to the expertise, facilities and equipment to be found on the campus of IT Sligo, a progressive third level institution.’

‘We particularly welcome enquiries from entrepreneurs looking to set up a new business and existing companies of all sizes, looking to carry out research and development using ITSBIC and IT Sligo facilities,” she concluded.

ENDS/IP53

Editor notes:

• The concept of mixing the academic and business users is a deliberate one to encourage a crossflow of ideas, attitudes and methodologies. It is therefore an aim of the Institute to attract viable operators who contribute to the totality of the education, training and research capacity of IT Sligo and to produce successful companies who will leave the BIC with essential business development skills.
• The sharing of ideas and resources through enterprise support and technology transfer are seen as important core activities by many third level institutions. IT Sligo already has an established reputation as a leading centre for supporting Enterprise through ITSBIC, Research projects and online learning worldwide.
• Services provided by ITSBIC:

1. Hot desk area, with desk-space and facilities for c.20 desks;
2. Workshop / industrial space for high tech manufacturing operations (e.g. electronics etc);
3. Lab space for the development of campus company operations (e.g. bio-medical, environmental science etc);
4. Meeting and training rooms;
5. On-site Business Development Office (with professional development workshops and seminars, business advice and referral services); Programmes are designed and delivered to suit businesses needs and demand.
6. Networking area with information point to allow for increased interaction between occupants, Institute academics and external service users.

Software development covering a diverse range of sectors from medical to construction:

• Chemical/ environmental analysis
• Telecommunications
• Presentations and conference solutions Biotechnology
• Health Food Production
• Design & Manufacturing in the podiatry and construction sectors
• E-Learning
• Web design

For further information contact:

Janette Gillen, Business Innovation Centre Manager, ITSBIC, Institute of Technology, Ballinode, Sligo. Tel: +353719155315 Email: gillen.janette@itsligo.ie

Maeve McCormack, connectpr@eircom.net Ph: 071 9130484 / 086 3172161

Sean Fitzpatrick, Press Advisor, Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, Tel: 01 6312200